Beer and Metal: Bleader, Chicago Readerhttps://www.chicagoreader.com/blogs/Bleader/
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Beer and Metal: Bleader, Chicago ReaderChicago's free weekly since 1971https://www.chicagoreader.com/imager/b/rss/939135/881a/blog_reader.png60144Alexi Front’s Scorched Tundra metal festival covers even more ground in its second Chicago yearhttps://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2017/08/16/alexi-fronts-scorched-tundra-metal-festival-covers-even-more-ground-in-its-second-chicago-year
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2017/08/16/alexi-fronts-scorched-tundra-metal-festival-covers-even-more-ground-in-its-second-chicago-yearNoah Berlatsky
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Most people don't necessarily think "Chicago" as soon as you mention "Gothenburg, Sweden." Alexi Front does, though.…
Beer and MetalDo ThisMusic
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Wed, 16 Aug 2017 17:14:00 -0500Chicago ReaderListen to the gorgeous black metal on Austin Lunn's new Panopticon album—and drink his Viking beershttps://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/10/15/listen-to-the-gorgeous-black-metal-on-austin-lunns-new-panopticon-albumand-drink-his-viking-beers
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/10/15/listen-to-the-gorgeous-black-metal-on-austin-lunns-new-panopticon-albumand-drink-his-viking-beersPhilip Montoro
<img src="https://media1.fdncms.com/chicago/imager/u/blog/19503843/autumn-eternal-album-cover.jpg" width="500" height="500" />
This week Austin Lunn, mountain-man mastermind of black-metal project Panopticon, completes a trilogy of albums he began three years ago, releasing <i>Autumn Eternal</i> via Bindrune Recordings. The 2012 masterpiece <i><a href="https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/in-rotation-ed-b-from-black-metal-of-the-americas-on-his-favorite-k-pop-band/Content?oid=15494576" target="_blank">Kentucky</a></i> started the series, fusing black metal and bluegrass in an arresting homage to the Appalachians—as well as to the courage and suffering of the ordinary people who fought the coal companies despoiling those mountains. <i>Roads to the North</i>, a more orthodox black-metal album, followed in 2014, and <i>Autumn Eternal—</i>which features John Becker of Chicago goth-pop group <a href="https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/04/02/vaskula-a-goth-pop-side-project-of-local-black-metal-group-vukari-makes-its-live-debut-friday" target="_blank">Vaskula</a> playing violin on two tracks—comes out tomorrow.<br>…
12 O'Clock TrackBeer and MetalMusic
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Thu, 15 Oct 2015 12:00:00 -0500Chicago ReaderLocal brewery Around the Bend debuts with an aggressive Thai-spiced pale alehttps://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/06/22/local-brewery-around-the-bend-debuts-with-an-aggressive-thai-spiced-pale-ale
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/06/22/local-brewery-around-the-bend-debuts-with-an-aggressive-thai-spiced-pale-alePhilip Montoro
<img src="https://media1.fdncms.com/chicago/imager/u/blog/18065299/1434749548-pict6498.jpg" width="589" height="393" />
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<p>At <a href="https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/10/27/chaos-brew-club-celebrates-learn-to-homebrew-day">CHAOS Brew Club</a>'s fabulous <a href="https://twitter.com/pmontoro/status/597240689944985600">Cerveza de Mayo party</a>, I encountered a jockey box from a new-to-me Chicago brewery called Around the Bend. I tried their galangal pale ale, Silk Road (how could I not be curious?), then filed them in the back of my mind as an operation to check up on in six or eight months, once they'd had time to complete the tortuous permitting and licensing process and start actually selling beer instead of just pouring it at festivals.…
Beer and MetalMusicFood & Drink
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Mon, 22 Jun 2015 07:00:00 -0500Chicago ReaderPipeworks' big new brewery means Ninja vs. Unicorn in canshttps://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/06/15/pipeworks-big-new-brewery-means-ninja-vs-unicorn-in-cans
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/06/15/pipeworks-big-new-brewery-means-ninja-vs-unicorn-in-cansPhilip Montoro
<img src="https://media2.fdncms.com/chicago/imager/u/blog/18030297/1434092913-pict6463.jpg" width="589" height="393" />
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<p>Like a lot of Chicago beer weenies, I got pretty heated up about Pipeworks Brewing in their early days. Heck, I started writing about them almost two years before anybody could buy their beer—first to review their appearance at Goose Island's <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2010/03/14/reviewed-goose-island-stout-fest">Stout Fest in March 2010</a>, then again in <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2010/12/13/pipeworks-brewing-needs-you">December of that year</a>, when they were raising funds on Kickstarter.…
Beer and MetalMusicFood & Drink
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Mon, 15 Jun 2015 11:02:00 -0500Chicago ReaderTransient Artisan Ales makes slow beer that sells out quickhttps://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/05/29/transient-artisan-ales-makes-slow-beer-that-sells-out-quick
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/05/29/transient-artisan-ales-makes-slow-beer-that-sells-out-quickPhilip Montoro
<img src="https://media2.fdncms.com/chicago/imager/transient-founder-chris-betts-with-some-of/u/blog/17857819/1432913931-pict6429.jpg" width="589" height="393" />
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<p>As much as it must suck to make beer that nobody cares about, making beer that rivets the attention of bottle-trading nerds comes with its own aggravations. Count yourself lucky if you've never seen a full-grown man whining like a spoiled child in an attempt to guilt a brewer or shop manager into parting with a small-batch bottle that's reserved for someone else.…
Beer and MetalMusicFood & Drink
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Fri, 29 May 2015 12:30:00 -0500Chicago ReaderThalia Hall's Crap Beer Day asks: Does it even matter which cheap lager you drink?https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/05/21/thalia-halls-crap-beer-day-asks-does-it-even-matter-which-cheap-lager-you-drink
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/05/21/thalia-halls-crap-beer-day-asks-does-it-even-matter-which-cheap-lager-you-drinkPhilip Montoro
<img src="https://media2.fdncms.com/chicago/imager/seven-of-the-eight-contestants-in-the-blin/u/blog/17759186/1431891043-pict6405.jpg" width="589" height="393" />
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<p>On Sunday, May 24, the last day of <a href="https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/05/14/the-best-chicago-craft-beer-week-2015-events">Chicago Craft Beer Week</a> ("Chicago Craft Beer Eleven Days" doesn't appear to be catching on), <a href="https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/thalia-hall/Location?oid=3560576">Thalia Hall</a> comes down to earth with <a href="https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/crap-beer-day/Event?oid=17738842">Crap Beer Day</a>, a celebration of the <a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Clone_trooper">Kamino clone troopers</a> of the beer world—disposable, mass-produced, useful mostly in large quantities, and a source of widespread regret. Tickets are ten dollars, and starting at 4 PM the venue will sell bottles and cans for a buck apiece: Miller High Life, Schlitz, Mickey's grenades, Hamm's, Old Milwaukee, Tecate, Lone Star, and Icehouse.…
Beer and MetalMusicFood & Drink
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Thu, 21 May 2015 10:00:00 -0500Chicago ReaderWhat's the only beer on tap at Beard nominee Parachute?https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/05/05/whats-the-only-beer-on-tap-at-beard-nominee-parachute
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/05/05/whats-the-only-beer-on-tap-at-beard-nominee-parachutePhilip Montoro
<img src="https://media2.fdncms.com/chicago/imager/a-hand-bottled-sample-of-pareidolia-wrest/u/blog/17601003/1430795138-beerandmetal-600.jpg" width="589" height="392" />
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<p>Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark's <a href="https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/parachute-korean-restaurant-beverly-kim-johnny-clark/Content?oid=14221709">Parachute</a> didn't win the <a href="https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/04/30/james-beard-foundation-awards-events-will-be-everywhere-this-weekend">James Beard Foundation Award</a> for best new restaurant last night, but it was one of Chicago's five national nominees on that portion of the slate, alongside <a href="https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/topolobampo/Location?oid=1024819">Topolobampo</a>, <a href="https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/the-violet-hour/Location?oid=1025493">the Violet Hour</a>, <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com/pdf/111013/chefstree2011.pdf">Donnie Madia</a>, and Tanya Baker of <a href="https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/the-boarding-house/Location?oid=8262889">Boarding House</a>. (Madia and the Violet Hour both won.)…
Beer and MetalMusicFood & Drink
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Tue, 05 May 2015 10:30:00 -0500Chicago ReaderMoody Tongue beers finally reach retailhttps://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/04/20/moody-tongue-beers-finally-reach-retail
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/04/20/moody-tongue-beers-finally-reach-retailPhilip Montoro
<img src="https://media1.fdncms.com/chicago/imager/steeped-emperors-lemon-saison-is-one-of-t/u/blog/17408631/1429399064-pict6369.jpg" width="589" height="393" />
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<p>The <em>Reader</em> has been on top of Moody Tongue from day one, though when I say "the <em>Reader</em>" I don't mean <a href="https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/beer-and-metal/">Beer and Metal</a>—I mean our food writer <a href="https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/ArticleArchives?author=864031">Michael Gebert</a>. He's thoroughly interviewed Jared Rouben, who left his position as head brewer at the Goose Island brewpubs in early 2013 to found this Pilsen operation.…
Beer and MetalMusicFood & Drink
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Mon, 20 Apr 2015 12:30:00 -0500Chicago ReaderMikerphone Brewing launches with music-inspired beers and monster canshttps://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/04/17/mikerphone-brewing-launches-with-music-inspired-beers-and-monster-cans
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/04/17/mikerphone-brewing-launches-with-music-inspired-beers-and-monster-cansPhilip Montoro
<img src="https://media2.fdncms.com/chicago/imager/mikerphone-brewing-launches-with-music-ins/u/blog/17432783/1429288558-pict6365crop.jpg" width="589" height="397" />
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<p>In mid-January, I visited Breakroom Brewery in Irving Park and sampled two beers that its head brewer, Mike Pallen, had whipped up on a pilot system in his basement in Park Ridge while waiting for the brewpub's system to come online: a double IPA called Hoppy Citra-ation and an orange-peel stout called Truss Me on This One. </p>
<p>Pallen had developed nearly three dozen beers for Breakroom since coming aboard in September 2013.…
Beer and MetalMusicFood & Drink
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Fri, 17 Apr 2015 13:30:00 -0500Chicago ReaderMiddle Brow Beer helps Jimmy Whispers celebrate Summer in Painhttps://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/03/23/middle-brow-beer-helps-jimmy-whispers-celebrate-summer-in-pain
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/03/23/middle-brow-beer-helps-jimmy-whispers-celebrate-summer-in-painPhilip Montoro
<img src="https://media2.fdncms.com/chicago/imager/if-you-rub-this-bottle-jimmy-whispers-wil/u/blog/16970762/1427059699-pict6327.jpg" width="589" height="393" />
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<p>Chicago singer-songwriter Jimmy Whispers, who describes himself with disarmingly transparent bravado as "the greatest bedroom popper in the tri-state area," recorded his new debut album, <em>Summer in Pain</em>, way back in 2011. For years he's been holding out for the right label (and the right moment), refusing until very recently to post any music online, and on March 24 he finally releases the album through local imprint Moniker.…
Beer and MetalMusicFood & Drink
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Mon, 23 Mar 2015 12:30:00 -0500Chicago ReaderFour years of preparation pay off in Alarmist Brewing's Pantsless Pale Alehttps://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/03/20/four-years-of-preparation-pay-off-in-alarmist-brewings-pantsless-pale-ale
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/03/20/four-years-of-preparation-pay-off-in-alarmist-brewings-pantsless-pale-alePhilip Montoro
<img src="https://media2.fdncms.com/chicago/imager/alarmist-founder-gary-gulley-gets-into-the/u/blog/16914424/1426785746-pict6255bright.jpg" width="589" height="393" />
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<p>Two years ago, when I <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/john-laffler-off-color-jess-straka-metropolitan/Content?oid=8985499">talked to</a> John Laffler of <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2013/03/11/off-color-brewings-mischief-pop-up-bar-you-will-want-to-drink-all-their-beer">Off Color</a> and Jess Straka of <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/02/10/revolution-celebrates-another-auspicious-birthday-with-4th-year-beer">Revolution Brewing</a> (then of <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/01/06/the-power-is-on-metropolitan-bottles-its-generator-doppelbock">Metropolitan</a>) as part of the <em>Reader</em>'s Chicago Craft Beer Week coverage, the conversation turned to emerging brewers who had business plans robust enough to help them survive increasing competition for shelf space and tap handles. </p>
<p>"Gary Gulley of Panic is taking his time," said Straka.…
Beer and MetalMusicFood & Drink
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Fri, 20 Mar 2015 09:00:00 -0500Chicago ReaderShould you buy the beer in the green Buddha bottles?https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/03/06/should-you-buy-the-beer-in-the-green-buddha-bottles
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/03/06/should-you-buy-the-beer-in-the-green-buddha-bottlesPhilip Montoro
<img src="https://media1.fdncms.com/chicago/imager/contains-less-than-1-percent-buddha-juice/u/blog/16774268/1425593758-pict6215crop.jpg" width="589" height="415" />
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<p>Every so often in Beer and Metal, I review something that's clearly not a craft beer, either because I'm having a snit about an <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2013/02/11/redds-apple-ale-so-is-it-swill-or-what">evasive press release from a macrobrewer</a> or because I'm hoping to <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2013/03/18/sprechers-citra-bomb-not-exactly-a-blockbuster">stumble across a bargain</a> <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/01/20/dragon-lady-doppelbock-why-do-i-do-this-to-myself">in an unlikely place</a>. (The less said about the <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2013/02/25/super-brew-15-i-know-what-youre-thinking-but-dont-just-dont">Super Brew 15 fiasco</a>, the better.)…
Beer and MetalMusicFood & Drink
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Fri, 06 Mar 2015 12:30:00 -0600Chicago ReaderGuess your beer blindfolded Sunday at the Map Roomhttps://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/02/27/guess-your-beer-blindfolded-sunday-at-the-map-room
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/02/27/guess-your-beer-blindfolded-sunday-at-the-map-roomPhilip Montoro
<img src="https://media1.fdncms.com/chicago/imager/the-map-rooms-tap-handles-are-exactly-wha/u/blog/16701674/1425058441-maproom-taps-andreabauer.jpg" width="589" height="391" />
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<p>Earlier this month I got a reminder of just how thoroughly the human brain conditions its sensory input. At an Andersonville restaurant, a friend was served the wrong beer, and it took me three samples at the bar to figure out what was actually in her glass—even though she'd been poured the same thing I'd been drinking not ten minutes before.…
Beer and MetalMusicFood & Drink
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Fri, 27 Feb 2015 15:30:00 -0600Chicago Reader5 Rabbit bottles dessert with the 'albino stout' Arroz con Lechehttps://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/02/19/5-rabbit-bottles-dessert-with-the-albino-stout-arroz-con-leche
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/02/19/5-rabbit-bottles-dessert-with-the-albino-stout-arroz-con-lechePhilip Montoro
<img src="https://media2.fdncms.com/chicago/imager/5-rabbit-bottles-dessert-with-the-albino/u/blog/16601354/1424388127-pict6174.jpg" width="589" height="393" />
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<p>Sometimes I'm a shitty beer writer. It might sound like I'm being too hard on myself, especially if you're a fan (I must have a couple, right?).…
Beer and MetalMusicFood & Drink
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Fri, 20 Feb 2015 09:30:00 -0600Chicago ReaderForbidden Root launches its chocolate series with the imperial stout Heavy Petalhttps://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/02/13/forbidden-root-launches-its-chocolate-series-with-the-imperial-stout-heavy-petal
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/02/13/forbidden-root-launches-its-chocolate-series-with-the-imperial-stout-heavy-petalPhilip Montoro
<img src="https://media2.fdncms.com/chicago/imager/forbidden-root-launches-its-chocolate-seri/u/blog/16517113/1423782382-pict6164.jpg" width="589" height="393" />
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<p>I wrote about Chicago botanical brewers Forbidden Root <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2013/08/19/a-voyage-to-oak-park-in-search-of-forbidden-root">in August 2013</a>, when they made what I'm pretty sure was just their second festival appearance at the Oak Park Micro Brew & Food Review. About four months ago the brewery finally hit retail shelves, shipping 12-ounce four-packs of Sublime Ginger and Shady Character, and a little more than a month later Forbidden Root's namesake beer joined them.…
Beer and MetalMusicFood & Drink
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Fri, 13 Feb 2015 12:30:00 -0600Chicago ReaderIlluminated Brew Works takes its secret society abovegroundhttps://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/02/09/illuminated-brew-works-takes-its-secret-society-aboveground
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/02/09/illuminated-brew-works-takes-its-secret-society-abovegroundPhilip Montoro
<img src="https://media2.fdncms.com/chicago/imager/the-palatial-headquarters-of-illuminated-b/u/blog/16352620/1423273112-pict6117.jpg" width="589" height="393" />
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<p>If you were going to start a brewery—and don't tell me you haven't thought about it, you beer-column-reading person—how would you get the money? (For rhetorical purposes, I'm assuming you're not independently wealthy.)…
Beer and MetalMusicFood & Drink
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Mon, 09 Feb 2015 14:00:00 -0600Chicago ReaderDryHop Brewers and art-pop trio Moritat celebrate together at the Empty Bottlehttps://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/02/06/dryhop-brewers-and-art-pop-trio-moritat-celebrate-together-at-the-empty-bottle
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/02/06/dryhop-brewers-and-art-pop-trio-moritat-celebrate-together-at-the-empty-bottlePhilip Montoro
<img src="https://media1.fdncms.com/chicago/imager/dryhop-brewer-brant-dubovick-and-a-glass-o/u/blog/16351165/1423178965-pict6122.jpg" width="589" height="393" />
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<p>Since <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2013/06/17/dryhop-may-not-need-a-good-review-but-theyre-getting-one">reviewing DryHop during its opening week</a> in June 2013, I've drank many a memorable beer there—among them <a href="https://twitter.com/pmontoro/status/400683011743563777">My Mirrors Are Black</a>, a Cuban-style coffee stout with guava; <a href="https://twitter.com/pmontoro/status/518184873467854848">Elektra</a>, on Oktoberfest; Half Stepper, a rye IPA; the South Loop Brewing collaboration <a href="https://twitter.com/pmontoro/status/542938068756729856">Milkstachio</a>, a milk stout with pistachio and cacao nibs; <a href=" https://twitter.com/pmontoro/status/546479801423253504">Moustache & a Supernova</a>, a biere de Noel; <a href="https://twitter.com/pmontoro/status/363123043767291904">the Devil Jumped Up!</a>, a Belgian-style IPA; and <a href="https://twitter.com/pmontoro/status/528029319478538240">I, O'Brien of the Black Horsemen</a>, an oatmeal-cookie brown ale. In other words, I've been looking for an opportunity to write about DryHop again.…
Beer and MetalMusicFood & Drink
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Fri, 06 Feb 2015 13:00:00 -0600Chicago ReaderTemperance Beer Company goes big with its first bottleshttps://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/01/30/temperance-beer-company-goes-big-with-its-first-bottles
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/01/30/temperance-beer-company-goes-big-with-its-first-bottlesPhilip Montoro
<img src="https://media2.fdncms.com/chicago/imager/might-meets-right-imperial-stout-aged-in-h/u/blog/16344018/1422568147-pict6079.jpg" width="589" height="436" />
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<p>I got to Evanston's Temperance Beer Company a bit late—I didn't manage a column till last May, when their kegs had been turning up in Chicago bars for seven or eight months and they'd just debuted on retail shelves with <a href="https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/05/05/evanstons-temperance-beer-company-debuts-on-retail-shelves-with-gatecrasher-english-ipa">Gatecrasher English IPA</a>. (I felt a little better, and even a tad prescient, when Gatecrasher won a silver medal at the Great American Beer Festival that summer—I'd given it an immoderately positive review.)</p>…
Beer and MetalMusicFood & Drink
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/01/30/temperance-beer-company-goes-big-with-its-first-bottles?show=comments#readerComments
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Fri, 30 Jan 2015 10:00:00 -0600Chicago ReaderTake a 'Walk ov Shame' to the Local Option for the Catalina Wine Mixerhttps://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/01/23/take-a-walk-ov-shame-to-the-local-option-for-the-catalina-wine-mixer
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/01/23/take-a-walk-ov-shame-to-the-local-option-for-the-catalina-wine-mixerPhilip Montoro
<img src="https://media2.fdncms.com/chicago/imager/the-cigarette-is-a-nice-touch/u/blog/16283355/1422045807-pict6068crop.jpg" width="589" height="530" />
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<p>I haven't written about a Local Option beer in more than a year, but not because they haven't rolled out anything new. The saison Walk ov Shame debuted on draft in November, and a second batch, split between kegs and 500-milliliter bottles, started shipping about a month ago.…
Beer and MetalMusicFood & Drink
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/01/23/take-a-walk-ov-shame-to-the-local-option-for-the-catalina-wine-mixer?show=comments#readerComments
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Fri, 23 Jan 2015 16:41:00 -0600Chicago ReaderBeer and Metal's best of 2014, chosen by youhttps://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/12/26/beer-and-metals-best-of-2014-chosen-by-you
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/12/26/beer-and-metals-best-of-2014-chosen-by-youPhilip Montoro
<img src="https://media1.fdncms.com/chicago/imager/i-didnt-review-all-that-many-packaged-bee/u/blog/15953777/1419217367-pict6041.jpg" width="589" height="390" />
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<p>I wrote 32 <a href="https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/beer-and-metal/">Beer and Metal</a> posts in 2014, down from 42 <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2013/12/30/beer-and-metals-year-in-review">last year</a>, but the Chicago craft community was busier than ever. Though I like to think I made up for the drop in quantity with an increase in quality (and I did break a few stories, in my own way), I definitely overlooked some solid breweries.…
Beer and MetalYear in ReviewMusicFood & Drink
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Fri, 26 Dec 2014 14:00:00 -0600Chicago ReaderYes, Marz Community Brewing aged a mushroom stout in soy-sauce barrels, and I drank ithttps://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/12/15/yes-marz-community-brewing-aged-a-mushroom-stout-in-soy-sauce-barrels-and-i-drank-it
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/12/15/yes-marz-community-brewing-aged-a-mushroom-stout-in-soy-sauce-barrels-and-i-drank-itPhilip Montoro
<img src="https://media2.fdncms.com/chicago/imager/this-is-allegedly-the-last-bottle-of-umami/u/blog/15891379/1418599937-pict6014.jpg" width="589" height="396" />
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<p>In September, when I wrote about <a href="https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/09/08/marz-community-brewing-launches-with-a-small-space-a-big-crew-a-great-party-and-a-memorable-lineup">the launch of Marz Community Brewing</a>, I included this aside: "They're developing a frankly insane-sounding 'umami' stout with Against the Grain in Louisville—it'll include beer aged in brandy barrels and in, get this, soy-sauce barrels."</p>
<p>Little did I know that the Umami Stout was already aging (it spent more than six months in the wood) and would be ready to drink by mid-November. I also left out two other important details: The beer is in fact a three-way collaboration, masterminded by a friend of Marz owner Ed Marszewski named Takeshi Yutsomashi.…
Beer and MetalMusicFood & Drink
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/12/15/yes-marz-community-brewing-aged-a-mushroom-stout-in-soy-sauce-barrels-and-i-drank-it?show=comments#readerComments
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Mon, 15 Dec 2014 14:00:00 -0600Chicago ReaderPenrose Brewing achieves infinitely self-similar deliciousness with Fractalhttps://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/12/01/penrose-brewing-achieves-infinitely-self-similar-deliciousness-with-fractal
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/12/01/penrose-brewing-achieves-infinitely-self-similar-deliciousness-with-fractalPhilip Montoro
<img src="https://media1.fdncms.com/chicago/imager/its-a-good-thing-penrose-gave-me-some-pho/u/blog/15756206/1417212322-fractal-4pk.jpg" width="589" height="393" />
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<p><a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/03/31/at-long-last-penrose-blesses-chicago-with-its-beer">Penrose Brewing</a>'s bottle rollout, which began this summer with four-packs of P-2 and Proto Gradus, has been a little spotty so far—not that I've been keeping a logbook, but it feels like months since I've seen any of their product in my neighborhood snooty-beer stores. Thankfully the young Geneva brewery has addressed the trouble, making a big push onto retail shelves shortly before Thanksgiving with two new-to-bottles beers—a Belgian-style white IPA called Desirous and a Belgian-style IPA called Fractal, which might be my favorite regular-rotation offering from Penrose to date.…
Beer and MetalMusicFood & Drink
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/12/01/penrose-brewing-achieves-infinitely-self-similar-deliciousness-with-fractal?show=comments#readerComments
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Mon, 01 Dec 2014 14:00:00 -0600Chicago ReaderGoose Island's 2014 Bourbon County beers, reviewed by six increasingly drunk peoplehttps://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/11/24/goose-islands-2014-bourbon-county-beers-reviewed-by-six-increasingly-drunk-people
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/11/24/goose-islands-2014-bourbon-county-beers-reviewed-by-six-increasingly-drunk-peoplePhilip Montoro
<img src="https://media1.fdncms.com/chicago/imager/goose-island-sent-me-several-sexy-photos-o/u/blog/15714756/1416787308-pict5945.jpg" width="589" height="395" />
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<p>When I <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2013/11/25/brace-yourselves-here-come-goose-islands-2013-bourbon-county-variants">reviewed Goose Island's Bourbon County beers</a> last year, I explained that I had mixed feelings about stoking the "alarming acquisitive frenzy" surrounding these sought-after limited releases. But I know the Bourbon County train will keep a-rollin' no matter what I do—and it's not as though I want to stop it.…
Beer and MetalMusicFood & Drink
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Mon, 24 Nov 2014 14:00:00 -0600Chicago ReaderFestival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beer gold medalists include Pipeworks, Revolution, and Off Colorhttps://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/11/17/festival-of-wood-and-barrel-aged-beer-gold-medalists-include-pipeworks-revolution-and-off-color
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/11/17/festival-of-wood-and-barrel-aged-beer-gold-medalists-include-pipeworks-revolution-and-off-colorPhilip Montoro
<img src="https://media1.fdncms.com/chicago/imager/i-think-thats-the-side-project-apricot-so/u/blog/15652771/1416184720-pict5924.jpg" width="589" height="393" />
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<p>The Festival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beer set another record in its 12th year, fielding more than 275 entries—a jump of more than 60 from 2013's lineup. (Those of you who need a FOBAB primer can consult either of <a href="https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2012/11/19/beer-and-metal-the-tenth-annual-festival-of-wood-and-barrel-aged-beer">my two previous</a> <a href="https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2013/11/18/the-festival-of-wood-and-barrel-aged-beer-still-completely-ridiculous-still-definitely-great">Beer and Metal columns</a> on the festival.)…
Beer and MetalMusicFood & Drink
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/11/17/festival-of-wood-and-barrel-aged-beer-gold-medalists-include-pipeworks-revolution-and-off-color?show=comments#readerComments
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Mon, 17 Nov 2014 14:00:00 -0600Chicago ReaderCHAOS Brew Club celebrates Learn to Homebrew Dayhttps://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/10/27/chaos-brew-club-celebrates-learn-to-homebrew-day
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/10/27/chaos-brew-club-celebrates-learn-to-homebrew-dayPhilip Montoro
<img src="https://media1.fdncms.com/chicago/imager/what-a-handsome-new-sign/u/blog/15462120/1414358762-pict5886crop.jpg" width="589" height="392" />
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<p>Regular readers may remember <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2013/07/15/chaos-brew-club-bids-farewell-to-its-home-with-the-summer-brew-bq">my column from July 2013</a>, about <a href="http://www.chaosbrewclub.net/">CHAOS Brew Club</a>'s Summer Brew-BQ—the group's last party in its old home near Grand and Ogden. CHAOS has been operating out of a <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/chaos-brew-club-conrad-fuhrman-home-brew-beer/Content?oid=11137804">new, larger space</a> at 2417 W. Hubbard for more than a year, and I've finally found a pretext to write about it again without simply summarizing another party: <a href="http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/aha-events/learn-to-homebrew-day/">Learn to Homebrew Day</a>, which the American Homebrewers Association has declared to be Saturday, November 1.…
Beer and MetalMusicFood & Drink
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Mon, 27 Oct 2014 14:00:00 -0500Chicago Reader